Donald Trump along with Colombia's president have turned up the tone in their verbal conflict, further raising tensions in their relations following US forces attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He runs drug factories and processing labs and that won't last much longer," the US president stated.
Rising Tensions and Claims
Addressing journalists on Sunday, the US president threatened comparable military action against Colombia, claiming the nation is also "very ill" and governed by a sick man involved in producing the drug and trafficking it to America."
While Colombia remains the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally connected to the trade.
A Deteriorating Alliance
Colombia was historically a key ally of the US in the campaign against drug trafficking and enjoyed wide political approval in the US capital, but relations have worsened markedly following Trump came to office.
Its illicit drug economy is largely controlled by criminal organizations like the Clan del Golfo, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom laid down arms after a landmark accord.
Colombia's Defiant Answer
In response to a query whether a military operation similar to Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump said: "I like the sound of that to me."
President Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who disarmed decades ago, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am not illegitimate and certainly not involved in narcotics," he affirmed.
"He comments uninformed. Cease defaming me," he wrote in a post.
"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will turn into a multitude of fighters in the hills. And if they detain the nation's leader, whom many of the population holds in high esteem, they will provoke the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," Petro warned.
From Guerrilla to Leader
Petro spent a period in his early life participating with the radical M-19 guerrilla group but is not believed that he never engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he was involved in creating a new constitution in the early 90s subsequently becoming a respected lawmaker. He was mayor of Bogotá before being elected the nation's highest office.
"I pledged to abstain from using a weapon again ... but for Colombia I shall resume arms again," he said.
Increased Security along with Broad Opposition
Colombia's defense chief reported that the national leader's security detail had been reinforced.
Several members of Colombia’s political right have expressed support with Trump's stance, but voices spanning Colombian politics have denounced the notion of an invasion targeting Colombia.
Diplomatic and Financial Pressure
Washington cancelled the president's entry visa subsequent to he urged American soldiers to disobey orders that violate law. Months later, the US enacted financial sanctions against the president, his wife and a number of close collaborators.
At the same time the US was building up its military presence in the region and targeting suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed attacks against vessels in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.
